The UK Department of Health and Social Care announced on 9 September 2026 that more than £1.5 billion would go toward tackling urgent problems with hospital buildings and facilities in England, according to the government press release. The plan included over £200 million for 10 major hospital projects and over £1.3 billion for maintenance, safety and resilience improvements.

The 10 named projects covered new operating theatres, a children's ward, maternity and mental health facilities and a new pathology building, among other works. More than 950 schemes were approved in total, including over £32 million for cooling, ventilation and overheating projects intended to help hospitals cope with more frequent extreme heat. The funding came from the £6.75 billion Estates Safety Fund, and the government said final costs and scope would depend on future business case approvals.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper said hospitals now faced new challenges, including extreme heat and sustained pressure throughout the year, and described the funding as a start ahead of a longer-term capital plan. Sir Ciarán Devane of the NHS Alliance welcomed the investment while noting the NHS still faced a sizeable maintenance backlog.